Where Is She Going Now?

She paused mid-pace and dropped into the nearest armchair, her fingers drumming a nervous rhythm on the armrest. Her foot tapped furiously against the marble floor. Tap, tap, tap, tap—

Then, she shot to her feet again.

“Lyra?”

But she was already moving. She didn’t answer him. She didn’t look back. She marched out of the drawing room.

Thaddeus peeked around the corner, watching her disappear.

“Where is she going now?” Elias asked the room, or maybe the gods.

Outside, Lyra stormed through the entrance courtyard, ignoring the guards’ curious looks. She marched toward the stable and waved down one of the waiting carriage riders.

“You there!” she called.

“Y-Yes, my lady?”

“I need a carriage.”

“Of course, my lady.” He jumped into action.

“Where to, my lady?” the carriage driver asked as he tugged on the reins, rolling the wooden carriage into place beside her. The horses neighed and stamped their hooves as if impatient to get on with it—clearly as agitated as their passenger.

Lyra, still f